The land inspiring
the story
Dongtian Fairyland Cave. Yingde
This was my first destination during my first vacation in Guangdong, my first encounter with Qingyuan. This cave fascinated me. I’ve returned several times, but the first visit was like a dream. This is how I imagine the cave in the novel.
Shaoguan
Shaoguan is another corner of incredible natural beauty. Its mountains, some as sharp as needles rising from the earth, completely stole my heart. Temples hanging from the cliffs, rivers glowing in the setting sun behind the peaks — a magical place to get lost and savor the landscape.
Zhaoqing
This park in Zhaoqing is amazing. It reminds me of the mountains of Qingyuan and Yangshuo. I often go to Zhaoqing to climb one of my favorite mountains and visit an amazing temple.
Jiulong
Jiulong, in Qingyuan, was also part of my first vacation in Guangdong. The view is breathtaking. It feels otherworldly, with its karst mountains and rivers. This was one of the greatest inspirations for my novel.
Nanxiong Shaoguan
Nanxiong, in Shaoguan, is a must-visit destination if you are interested in ancestral halls. I first read about it online and decided to go one weekend in search of inspiration for the ancestral hall in my novel. I still haven’t found the right ancestral hall for Han (汉), so the search continues.